Exploring Media Literacy, STEM, and Student Voice with Sonia’s Digital World and the ISTE Digital Explorers Series and Resources!

 

One of my favorite ways to open up conversations around media literacy and technology with students is through books, especially through my Capstone and ISTE series, ISTE Digital Explorers, and my book, Sonia's Digital World. Stories help students see themselves as creators, thinkers, and problem-solvers in a world filled with media and technology. Books create an entry point that feels approachable and engaging, especially for younger learners.

When we pair reading with conversations about technology, students begin to understand that digital literacy is about much more than screens. It is about communication, creativity, critical thinking, and using tools in meaningful ways. Through stories, students can explore topics like online safety, digital citizenship, collaboration, innovation, and how technology can help us share our voices with the world.

This spring, I had the honor of visiting Norwalk Public Schools in Connecticut for two days of author visits at three of their elementary schools. I loved every minute! Spending time with these students was such a great reminder of how naturally curious young learners are. They asked thoughtful questions, shared connections, and were excited to talk about books, ideas, and technology.

Last week, I did a little author visit with our 1st graders at my school too. It was so much fun connecting with our students to share about being an author and my books they have seen in our library. 

To continue the learning after our visit, I created a choice board to share all of my ISTE Digital Explorers books, including Sonia's Digital World, with them. The goal was to give students an easy way to continue exploring the stories we talked about together and access the Capstone Interactive eBooks after our event.

I created a template of the choice board so you can make a copy and add links to the eBooks for your students and teachers too.  You will find it here to push a copy. 

Then go to the Capstone Interactive eBook, copy the link, 

and add it to the corresponding cover in the choice board. 

You will find the ISTE Digital Explorers site here.  

There is the ISTE Digital Explorers Educator's Guide, extension activities, Book Creator activities, and more.  

And I really love the poster we created showcasing the ISTE Student Standards that support all seven of the books and each standard they represent. 

I hope that these books and resources help spark new ways to connect media literacy, STEM, and student voice together too, friends.  Please reach out if you have any questions or ideas on how to use them too.